Germany says Milosevic must be handed to war crimes tribunal

"The Serbian government should first be given the chance to do what they view is right," said Schroeder in remarks to reporters.

This, said Schroeder, was only fair given that Belgrade now had a democratically elected government.

But the German leader stressed Milosevic would ultimately have to be handed over to the war crimes tribunal at The Hague.

"The accusations being made are for war crimes and this has to be handled by the international tribunal," Schroeder said.

A German government spokesman later underscored that while Berlin welcomed Milsevic's arrest this was only a first step.

"This path must be followed and end at the war crimes tribunal," said Schroeder's deputy spokesman, Bela Anda, adding that Germany expected the Yugoslav government to honour its obligations to extadite Milosevic.

Milosevic was taken into custody Sunday at his Belgrade home after a 36-hour armed standoff.

(bb/dpa)